Catherine DeUgarte

The process is overwhelming, and as simple as she tries to explain the procedures and the things that I have to do it's hard to remember all the details. At times, it's almost too casual. She's recommended additional doctors for me to see as a preparation for the procedures, but she doesn't have business cards for them. I'm very detailed and like to prepare, so having the gritty details makes me feel more comfortable. I'd love to walk away with a to-do list of sorts to help keep me on track and know what we've covered and what to expect down the road. I'm also asked to do blood tests, however, I don't know exactly what we are checking. I feel like I just need to trust that she'll guide me.

Be more prepared with a huge list of questions. She'll answer them all. I walked in expecting that I didn't have to do the research and she would tell me everything single thing that I need. It gets overwhelming while you're talking to her as you're taking in so much information, it's hard to remember to ask everything that you need to and should. Actually ask, what else you need to know. Also ask for a written list of things that you need to do and/or see.

She is so sweet and caring. Right away, she hugs you like a friend. You chat with her in her office like a conversation versus doctor to patient. She responds to my emails, to all my crazy questions, she has even called me on her cell phone as she was driving home. She is very accommodating and thoughtful. I can easily ask her anything without feeling embarrassed for not knowing any better.

I'm just at the beginning and am on Progesterone for 10 days, then BCP then estrogen pills.

The staff is very nice, I've spoken with several people. The receptionist is very helpful and will accommodate scheduling me via email. The nurse that provides me with my test results is very straight forward, it would be nice if she can tell me what the range of the results are (whether it's high, low, etc.) versus just the result. I end up Googling to see what it means. My assigned co-ordinator is very sweet and responses super quickly. She'll check-in with Dr. DeUgarte and gets back to me or will have Dr. DeUgarte call or email me directly. The only thing is that I wish they were more detailed. I like to have a plan and asked to have a detailed description of my next steps as I was overwhelmed with the information that I was given during my visit and I wasn't able to write down each step as we talked through it. I received a response very quickly and a timeline of sorts, however, it did not detail it as I would have like. A few days passed, and I reached out again to then find out that I didn't get quite the answer that i had hoped for and was a week delayed. Otherwise, the staff is so very sweet and quick to respond.

I've been to the office early morning and mid-morning. The only time I waiting only 30 minutes was early morning. The first visit was a 1-hour wait, almost 1.5 on the 2nd visit. It would be great if the appointments were punctual. To note, I was early for all my appointments. Parking is really expensive in the structure and they do not validate. The office is beautifully decorated, very feminine and absolutely very busy at times. I think the space is shared with a different clinic.

She was really good about costs as the treatments are not covered by my insurance. My earlier visits were listed as missed period visits, so it was covered and all I had to pay was the co-pay. For the frozen embryo transfer, the costs includes reviewing donor's records, visits, co-ordination, injection instructions, ultrasounds, blood tests, the transfer, facility fees at $4825.

Because of my age, she is only recommending a single embryo transfer.

Dr. DeUgarte has treated me with such kindness and compassion that you would never expect to get from a doctor, but when going through infertility it's what you need most in addition to a plan that is catered to you and your partner. Before seeing Dr. D my husband and I were very stressed and confused about our fertility struggles and next steps to take. We were seeing another RE and he never made things clear for us which made all of our decisions even more confusing. Finding Dr. D was a godsend. At the first appointment she had already reviewed our records, went over some studies for couples in our situation and laid out a plan that my husband and I were both comfortable with. She has always been a calming force whenever we see her and we actually look forward to our visits.

As with any doctor you see for infertility do your research and know the questions you want to ask beforehand. Bring a pen and paper because you will learn a lot during your consult.

Your exceptional care at CMD Fertility starts the moment you arrive. After my second appointment I have always been greeted by name and with a smile. I never have to sign anything, Maria always checks me in automatically. All of the nurses are kind and compassionate. The financial coordinator is so sweet and also took so much time to help me understand my insurance coverage. Dr. Deugarte is incredible beyond words. She has treated my husband and me like family. She's the kind of doctor that gives you a hug when she sees you and asks you how you've been emotionally. She has taken so much time with me to explain every detail of the process and reassure me along the way. When deciding the next steps to take she'll pull up studies and her own results (blocking names of course) to help us make a well rounded decision. She helped me avoid a surgery for a possible septum, by simply ordering an MRI when the first RE we went to wanted to operate to diagnose. She has never pushed the most expensive procedures, in fact she encouraged us to try 3 IUIs before moving to IVF when I wanted to go to IVF immediately. From the first appointment she gave me her cell phone and while she was away on vacation when I was stimming for egg retrieval she checked in a few times to see how I was handling the meds. She and her staff care about me as a person and I'm actually sad that we'll eventually have to find an OBGYN and leave Dr. D and her amazing staff.

We tried 3 medicated IUIs (2 with clomid and 1 with follistim) before moving to IVF. She said studies showed at my age I should try 3 IUIs first. We moved onto IVF and she suggested 1/2 of our eggs be fertilized with ICSI because we were more in the unexplained category and also recommended PGS testing and a medicated FET. A frozen transfer she said would reduce my chances of OHSS (I had 24 follicles) and also give my body time to recover from all of the medications.

In addition to great bedside manners all the nurses are efficient and quick at following up if I have a question. I might talk to one nurse and then another and they are seamless.

I wish every women going through infertility struggles could come here or at least find a doctor and staff that are as exceptional as CMD Fertility. Their mission is a "Exceptionally personal and caring approach to infertility." They've definitely achieved that with me and who doesn't want a caring approach when it comes to infertility?

We had great insurance coverage so everything involved with the egg retrieval, ICSC, PGS and transfer were $8,000. Most expensive charge was for PGS testing.

She always recommends transferring 1 embryo especially if PGS tested but would transfer 2 if we wanted.

I liked Dr. DeUgarte from the moment I met her. Although she was very busy, I never felt rushed out of her office and she even gave me her mobile number so that I could contact her with any questions or concerns in her off-hours. I rarely used it, although I did a couple of times, as I wanted to respect her time off.

I don't think any advice needs to be given... she's a wonderful doctor, kind, caring, compassionate, and I haven't hesitated to recommend her to others in the past.

Dr. DeUgarte and her staff were always so welcoming, warm and kind. No question was too awkward or stupid, and they all were very professional, but in a lovely, personable manner.

For my first IUI I did it naturally (i.e. no drugs), when that didn't work, we moved to using Clomid for my second cycle with a trigger shot -- that was AWFUL, at least for me -- I have chronic depression and was off all of my meds to get pregnant (and planned on being off them throughout the pregnancy), and I had a severe depressive episode in reaction to the Clomid (a known side-effect). For my final try, my third cycle, I believe I went back to no drugs. Again, I was unsuccessful though.

It was a while ago, so I can't remember specific details, but I always felt very comfortable, welcome and in good hands with the nursing staff. They all appeared to really enjoy their jobs and had great chemistry together (respectful communications, laughing, etc.) while staying attentive to my needs.

The clinic itself is *gorgeous* -- obviously there's a lot of money in being a fertility doctor! I started treatment just as they were completing renovations, and that was a few years ago, so can't speak for how it is now in terms of aesthetics, but they have a coffee machine available in the waiting room, fully stocked restrooms, and everyone from the receptionists to the accounting people are very welcoming and compassionate.

Unfortunately it was a while ago, so I don't remember. However, Dr. DeUgarte worked with my insurance with regard to blood tests, genetic testing, and other tests that were required so that I paid little out of pocket for those services. My insurance did not cover the IUI procedures themselves, and the clinic offered "packages" to help reduce the cost of each procedure. I elected to pay for each IUI separately, as I didn't expect to have any trouble getting pregnant, but in the end I was unsuccessful and would have saved some money if I purchased a package.

I have no experience with this.

She is a wonderful human being and I believe a good doctor. I don't how aggressively she looks for modifications to a treatment plan. We did 3 fresh transfers. I didn't know much about FET until after I had switched doctors. After 2 failed transfers, why didn't we try an FET the 3rd time? I had 3 blasts, so they should have been able to freeze them. This option was never even discussed. As a person, I really care about her but I don't believe I would refer anyone to her given that we did 3 retrievals and 3 transfers and had no pregnancies. She did get a friend of mine pregnant with twins (the friend who referred me to Dr. D.)

To join an infertility support group like I did. This was where I learned everything I've learned. That they can better direct their own care and procedures since Dr. D. didn't behave like a detective to figure out what was wrong and how she could change up the protocol for better results.

Dr. DeUgarte was absolutely the most lovely and loving human being. I had her cellphone number and she was always receptive to my calls. I feel like she genuinely cared for me and that she still does. She ran into a patient who I referred to her and she asked after me. Her care team there was a little chaotic. I zoomed in on 2 techs (the office seems to call them nurses but they aren't nurses) whom I liked and requested them with every visit and felt very well taken care of by them.

It was utter chaos. I don't believe any of the nurses were actually nurses, but were techs. They were young and didn't seem professional. I did better once I identified the 2 I liked and requested them for every visit.

I wholly trusted Dr. DeUgarte, who was equal parts sensitive and lovely to interact with, and both talented and cutting-edge as a doctor. My case was complicated and difficult, and I could tell she was thinking about my case and working away at it. Once she went to a conference and came back with some new research, which she gave me to read, saying excitedly that this applied to my case and that we'd adjust our course of treatment. That was the medication and protocol that finally resulted in the birth of my daughter.

I think the first time patients visit a fertility doctor, they are often hesitant and wanting to go a very conservative route. In my first visit with her, I was caught off guard and felt that her suggestion of treatment plans were more aggressive than I expected; but she proved very willing to go slow with me and start off with milder procedures like medication alone. Over the course of a year and a half and several IUIs, no success. In the end it was IVF that resulted in my child. In hindsight I see that she was right at that first visit; because of my age and fertility issues, aggressive treatment was the appropriate course for me, and as a skilled doctor she was telling me what she knew from experience. It would have saved me time and money to go with her instincts from the start. But I don't think that's an uncommon experience for fertility patients, to take time to wade in, and she respected and was sensitive to the process I was going through.

I found her bedside manner to be wonderful. She was so caring and listened attentively to my medical history. Over two years, she patiently answered all my questions and involved me the choices we made and the fertility process. She is supportive and a determined, gifted doctor; she was so confident that I would get to a successful pregnancy, even toward the end when I no longer believed that. And she was right; my daughter is now three.

She knows the latest research and is still willing to learn from her patients. She shares what has worked and what hasn’t. She wasn’t quick to push IVF as the only option, she offered a range of choices and let us decide. She is willing to offer ideas for how to save on costs, too. Most of all, she’s compassionate.

Before your first visit, have an idea of what you’d like to do. Get all of the tests she recommends. I didn’t, and later found out my tube was blocked. I could have saved several rounds of IUIs. Also, you can usually find street parking- the garage is expensive.

Dr. DeUgarte takes time with her patients. She met with us to explain all of our options, and she has led us every step of the way, combining medical and scientific knowledge with compassion. She is so responsive to calls and emails. I felt as if she cared about us. Plus, her staff is excellent.

We did several IUIs and then did IVF after an HSG test determined I have a hydrosalpinx.

They are so great! Responsive, prompt, and professional. They never keep you waiting.

The wait times are so short. They make the experience pleasant. The waiting room has coffee, tea, and water. The parking garage is a bit expensive, but we usually find metered parking. The traffic getting there can be awful on the 405.

Around $15000 for IVF. Around $1500 for IUI.

I am still undergoing treatment for IVF with Dr. D after two failed IUIs (one with another Dr. and one with her). She has been extremely communicative throughout the entire process, explaining everything and answering all my questions. She is very warm and compassionate and makes you feel at ease in what can be a stressful and emotional experience. I appreciate her candor and her willingness to keep things moving.

Come prepared with your questions-I often times would get caught up in the moment (ultrasound, blood work, pharmacy) and forget things I wanted to ask. She is always reachable by email and cell if you forget!

Dr. DeUgarte and her staff are not only thorough and professional but incredibly warm. They know your name, email/call when they say they will, answer all your questions and start to feel like your extended family.

For my IUI, I was only on 75 IU of Follistim. I am currently on Follistim and Menopur (adding in Ganirelix later) prior to my ER.

All nursing staff and office staff are great here! They call/email when they say they will and are always reachable.

A well-oiled machine and everything is done in house (labs, ER, transfer, etc). It is so easy to only have to go to one office for everything. Only downside is parking in the building can be rather expensive. Arrive early to look for street parking!

IUI was approximately $2500. IVF is around $16k plus meds.

Very friendly and good at returning calls and emails. Sometimes forgot her recommendation or certain details so good if you remember as well. Helpful to bring a list of questions to ask so you remember to get your questions in.

You are in good hands!

Very responsive to questions

All very friendly and professional.

clean, a lot of purple, very friendly, busy, all female staff, lab technician is right next door, a pleasant experience, customized protocols, take advantage of the initial consultation to ask a lot of questions and give a complete history

Expensive! But I was able to do preliminary diagnostic labs for free.

She wanted to include only one and we only had one to transfer.